Camera stand having constant resistance for a portion of a range of motion along an axis of rotation

ABSTRACT

This application discloses a stand assembly that includes an upper portion for holding electronic components and a lower portion for supporting the upper portion. The lower portion including a base, a joint, and a second fastener structure configured to mate with a first fastener structure of the upper portion. The first fastener structure and the joint are configured to respectively provide a first degree of freedom of motion and a second degree of freedom of motion of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion. Movement of the upper portion at the first degree of freedom has substantially consistent resistance through first part of a first full range of motion associated with the first degree of freedom of motion. Movement of the upper portion at the second degree of freedom has substantially consistent resistance through a second full range of motion associated with the second degree of freedom.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/738,912, filed Jun. 14, 2015, entitled “Camera Stand Having anUnlimited Range of Motion Along an Axis of Rotation,” which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/738,885, filed Jun.13, 2015, entitled “Camera Stand Having an Unlimited Range of MotionAlong an Axis of Rotation,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,377,157, issued Jun. 28,2016, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/738,880, filed Jun. 13, 2015, entitled “Camera Stand Having ConstantResistance for a Portion of a Range of Motion Along an Axis of Rotation”and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/738,882, filed Jun. 13, 2015,entitled “Method of Packaging Camera Facilitating Ease of Installation,”U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/738,911, filed Jun. 14, 2015,entitled “Camera Stand Having Constant Resistance for a Portion of aRange of Motion Along an Axis of Rotation” and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/738,915, filed Jun. 14, 2015, entitled “Method of PackagingCamera Facilitating Ease of Installation, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This relates generally to an assembly, including but not limited tomethods and systems for mechanically supporting an electronic device andproviding one or more degrees of freedom of motion to the electronicdevice.

BACKGROUND

A smart home environment is created at a venue by integrating aplurality of smart devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected devices, seamlessly with each other in a local areanetwork and/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system toprovide a variety of useful smart home functions. Sometimes, the smarthome environment includes one or more network-connected cameras that areconfigured to provide video monitoring and security in the smart homeenvironment. These smart devices (e.g., the network-connected cameras)are normally placed on surfaces or mounted on walls at differentlocations of the smart home environment. As such, each smart device mustinclude a base that could match and come into contact with differenttypes of surfaces including a desktop, the wall or other surfaces. Itwould be beneficial to mechanically couple a smart device to its base ina compact and robust manner, while maintaining at least one or moredegrees of freedom of motion for the smart device.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for a compact and robust stand assemblythat can support an electronic device and provide one or more degrees offreedom of motion to the electronic device. In various implementationsof this application, a module (i.e., an electronic device) is mounted ona stand assembly that further includes a receiving element and a baseassembly. The receiving element physically receives the module and ismechanically coupled to the base assembly using matching fastenerstructures. The base assembly further includes a base shaped to restagainst a supporting surface, and a joint where one of the matchingfastener structures is located. The matching fastener structures and thejoint of the stand are configured to provide two independent degrees offreedom of motion of the receiving element with respect to the base ofthe base assembly.

In accordance with one aspect of this application, a stand assemblyincludes a receiving element for physically receiving a module, and abase assembly for supporting the receiving element. The receivingelement further includes a module holding structure configured to holdthe module, an extended portion that extends from the module holdingstructure, and a first fastener structure coupled to an end of theextended portion located opposite another end of the extended portionthat extends from the module holding structure. The base assemblyfurther includes a base shaped to rest against a supporting surface, anda second fastener structure coupled to the base at a joint, and thesecond fastener structure is configured to mate with the first fastenerstructure. The first fastener structure and the joint are configured toprovide a first degree of freedom of motion and a second degree offreedom of motion of the receiving element with respect to the base,respectively. The movement of the receiving element at the first degreeof freedom has substantially consistent resistance through first part ofa first full range of motion associated with the first degree of freedomof motion, and the movement of the receiving element at the seconddegree of freedom has substantially consistent resistance through asecond full range of motion associated with the second degree offreedom.

In accordance with another aspect of this application, a stand assemblyincludes a receiving element for physically receiving a module, and abase assembly for supporting the receiving element. The receivingelement further includes a module holding structure configured to holdthe module, an extended portion that extends from the module holdingstructure, and a first fastener structure coupled to an end of theextended portion located opposite another end of the extended portionthat extends from the module holding structure. The base assemblyfurther includes a base shaped to rest against a supporting surface, anda second fastener structure coupled to the base at a joint, and thesecond fastener structure is configured to mate with the first fastenerstructure. The first fastener structure and the joint are configured toprovide a first degree of freedom of motion and a second degree offreedom of motion of the receiving element with respect to the base,respectively. The movement of the receiving element at the first degreeof freedom is unlimited in a first direction of travel associated withthe first degree of freedom, and the movement of the receiving elementat the second degree of freedom is limited in a direction of travelassociated with the second degree of freedom.

In some implementations, the first degree of freedom is associated witha reverse direction of travel that is opposite to the first direction oftravel associated with the unlimited movement at the first degree offreedom, and the first and second fastener structures are unfastenedwhen the receiving element moves with respect to the base assembly inthe reverse direction of travel associate with the first degree offreedom.

In accordance with an aspect of this application, a method of packagingan assembly includes providing a base assembly that includes a base anda second fastener structure. The second fastener structure is coupled tothe base at a joint. The method of packaging the assembly furtherincludes attaching to the base assembly a receiving element that isconfigured to physically receive a module and includes a first fastenerstructure. Attaching to the base assembly the receiving element furtherincludes tightening the first fastener structure onto the secondfastener structure until the first fastener structure reaches atightened position. The first fastener structure of the receivingelement and the joint of the base assembly are configured to provide afirst degree of freedom of motion and a second degree of freedom ofmotion of the receiving element with respect to the base assembly,respectively. The method of packaging the assembly further includesafter determining that the first fastener structure reaches thetightened position, rotating the receiving element reversely at thefirst degree of freedom of motion by a first angle to orient thereceiving element to a nominal position. At the nominal position, thereceiving element and the module received thereby are configured to facesubstantially up when they are flipped down via the joint at the seconddegree of freedom of motion

In accordance with another aspect of this application, a method ofpackaging an assembly includes providing a base assembly that includes abase and a second fastener structure. The second fastener structure iscoupled to the base at a joint. The method of packaging the assemblyfurther includes attaching to the base assembly a receiving element thatis configured to physically receive a module and includes a firstfastener structure. The first fastener structure is configured to matewith the second fastener structure and provide a first degree of freedomof motion of the receiving element with respect to the base, and themovement of the receiving element at the first degree of freedom isunlimited in a first direction of travel associated with the firstdegree of freedom of motion. The joint is configured to provide a seconddegree of freedom of motion of the receiving element with respect to thebase. The method of packaging the assembly further includes rotating thereceiving element along the first direction of travel associated withthe first degree of freedom until the receiving element reaches anominal position. At the nominal position, the receiving element and themodule received thereby are configured to face substantially up whenthey are flipped down via the joint at the second degree of freedom ofmotion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various described implementations,reference should be made to the Description of Implementations below, inconjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numeralsrefer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 is an example smart home environment in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a camera assembly that includes a standassembly and a camera module in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a camera assembly shown in FIG. 2A inaccordance with some implementations.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a perspective view, a front view, a rear view anda side view of a camera module in accordance with some implementations,respectively.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a stand assembly for supporting amodule (e.g., a camera module) in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 4B illustrates a stand assembly that is decoupled to a receivingelement and a base assembly in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 4C illustrates a stand assembly that includes fastener structuresfor mechanically coupling a receiving element to a base assembly inaccordance with some implementations.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a stand assembly for supporting a sensormodule in accordance with some implementations.

FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate three positions of a receiving element when thereceiving element is twisted with respect to a base assembly at a firstdegree of freedom of motion in accordance with some implementation.

FIG. 7A is a side view of a stand assembly in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view of cross section A-A′ of the standassembly shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is an enlarged view of two fastener structures that couple areceiving element to a base assembly in the stand assembly shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B in accordance with some implementations.

FIGS. 7D, 7E and 7F illustrate an exploded view, a cross-sectional view(cross section A-A′), and a side view of a joint of a stand assemblyshown in FIG. 7B in accordance with some implementations, respectively.

FIG. 8A illustrates another exemplary stand assembly in which movementof a receiving element with respect to a base assembly is unlimited in adirection of travel associated with a first degree of freedom of motionin accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 8B is an exploded view of a receiving element that has an unlimitedmovement range in a direction of travel associated with a first degreeof freedom of motion as shown in FIG. 8A in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 8C is a cross sectional view of fastener structures of a standassembly that enable an unlimited movement range in a direction oftravel associated with a first degree of freedom of motion as shown inFIG. 8A in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 9A illustrate another exemplary stand assembly in which movement ofa receiving element with respect to a base assembly is limited at asecond degree of freedom of motion in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 9B is an exploded view of a joint that is assembled onto a hingecarrier to provide to a receiving element a limited movement range at asecond degree of freedom of motion shown in FIG. 9A in accordance withsome implementations.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a process for assembling a stand assemblyin accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a stand assembly that includes a magnetplate in its base assembly in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 12A illustrates a mount structure or mounting a stand assembly ontoa mounting surface in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 12B illustrates another exemplary mount structure onto which adetachable foam plate is attached in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 12C is an exploded view of a stand assembly, a detachable foamplate and a mount structure in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 13A is an exploded view of a stand assembly, a cable guide ring anda mount structure that function together to support a module on amounting surface in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 13B illustrates another mount structure in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 13C illustrates a cable guide ring in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 14A is a top view of a camera assembly in which a receiving elementand a camera module 204 mounted thereon are packaged in accordance withsome implementations.

FIGS. 14B-14F illustrate a packaging process for packaging a cameraassembly as shown in FIG. 14A and its accessories in a multilayershipping package in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 15 illustrates a receiving element that is mechanically coupled ona standard tripod in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of a method for packaging a stand assemblyconfigured to support a module (e.g., a camera module) in accordancewith some implementations.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of another exemplary method for packaging astand assembly configured for supporting a module (e.g., a cameramodule) in accordance with some implementations.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATIONS

In accordance with various implementations of the present invention, astand assembly is applied to support an electronic device at differentlocations in a smart home environment. The electronic device includes,but is not limited to, a surveillance camera, a microphone, a speaker, athermostat, a hazard detector, or other types of smart devices. Thestand assembly includes a receiving element for physically receiving theelectronic device, and a base assembly for supporting the receivingelement and the electronic device mounted thereon. The stand assembly isconfigured to provide at least two degrees of freedom of motion suchthat the receiving element and the electronic device mounted thereon canbe oriented differently with respect to the base assembly. In someimplementations, the two degrees of freedom of motion allow thereceiving element and the electronic device mounted thereon to flip downand lie substantially in parallel with a bottom surface of the baseassembly, and therefore, the stand assembly and the electronic devicecan be packaged within a shipping box in a compact, reliable andconsistent manner. Also, such consistent packaging ensures that theelectronic device when removed from a package will provide an optimaland consistent range of adjustability to reduce customer frustration andimprove likelihood of customer success with the product. Further, insome implementations, the stand assembly offers a high aesthetic levelin product design by hiding fastener structures used to assemble thestand assembly and rendering them structurally invisible to a user ofthe electronic device.

FIG. 1 is an example smart home environment 100 in accordance with someimplementations. The smart home environment 100 includes a structure 150(e.g., a house, office building, garage, or mobile home) with variousintegrated devices. It will be appreciated that devices may also beintegrated into a smart home environment 100 that does not include anentire structure 150, such as an apartment, condominium, or officespace. Further, the smart home environment 100 may control and/or becoupled to devices outside of the actual structure 150. Indeed, severaldevices in the smart home environment 100 need not be physically withinthe structure 150. For example, a device controlling a pool heater 114or irrigation system 116 may be located outside of the structure 150.

The depicted structure 150 includes a plurality of rooms 152, separatedat least partly from each other via walls 154. The walls 154 may includeinterior walls or exterior walls. Each room may further include a floor156 and a ceiling 158. Devices may be mounted on, integrated with and/orsupported by a wall 154, floor 156 or ceiling 158.

In some implementations, the integrated devices of the smart homeenvironment 100 include intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connecteddevices that integrate seamlessly with each other in a smart homenetwork and/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system toprovide a variety of useful smart home functions. The smart homeenvironment 100 may include one or more intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected thermostats 102 (hereinafter referred to as “smartthermostats 102”), one or more intelligent, network-connected,multi-sensing hazard detection units 104 (hereinafter referred to as“smart hazard detectors 104”), one or more intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected entryway interface devices 106 and 120 (hereinafterreferred to as “smart doorbells 106” and “smart door locks 120”), andone or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected alarm systems122 (hereinafter referred to as “smart alarm systems 122”).

In some implementations, the one or more smart thermostats 102 detectambient climate characteristics (e.g., temperature and/or humidity) andcontrol a HVAC system 103 accordingly. For example, a respective smartthermostat 102 includes an ambient temperature sensor.

The one or more smart hazard detectors 104 may include thermal radiationsensors directed at respective heat sources (e.g., a stove, oven, otherappliances, a fireplace, etc.). For example, a smart hazard detector 104in a kitchen 153 includes a thermal radiation sensor directed at astove/oven 112. A thermal radiation sensor may determine the temperatureof the respective heat source (or a portion thereof) at which it isdirected and may provide corresponding blackbody radiation data asoutput.

The smart doorbell 106 and/or the smart door lock 120 may detect aperson's approach to or departure from a location (e.g., an outer door),control doorbell/door locking functionality (e.g., receive user inputsfrom a portable electronic device 166-1 to actuate bolt of the smartdoor lock 120), announce a person's approach or departure via audio orvisual means, and/or control settings on a security system (e.g., toactivate or deactivate the security system when occupants go and come).

The smart alarm system 122 may detect the presence of an individualwithin close proximity (e.g., using built-in IR sensors), sound an alarm(e.g., through a built-in speaker, or by sending commands to one or moreexternal speakers), and send notifications to entities or userswithin/outside of the smart home network 100. In some implementations,the smart alarm system 122 also includes one or more input devices orsensors (e.g., keypad, biometric scanner, NFC transceiver, microphone)for verifying the identity of a user, and one or more output devices(e.g., display, speaker). In some implementations, the smart alarmsystem 122 may also be set to an “armed” mode, such that detection of atrigger condition or event causes the alarm to be sounded unless adisarming action is performed.

In some implementations, the smart home environment 100 includes one ormore intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected wall switches 108(hereinafter referred to as “smart wall switches 108”), along with oneor more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected wall pluginterfaces 110 (hereinafter referred to as “smart wall plugs 110”). Thesmart wall switches 108 may detect ambient lighting conditions, detectroom-occupancy states, and control a power and/or dim state of one ormore lights. In some instances, smart wall switches 108 may also controla power state or speed of a fan, such as a ceiling fan. The smart wallplugs 110 may detect occupancy of a room or enclosure and control supplyof power to one or more wall plugs (e.g., such that power is notsupplied to the plug if nobody is at home).

In some implementations, the smart home environment 100 of FIG. 1includes a plurality of intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connectedappliances 112 (hereinafter referred to as “smart appliances 112”), suchas refrigerators, stoves, ovens, televisions, washers, dryers, lights,stereos, intercom systems, garage-door openers, floor fans, ceilingfans, wall air conditioners, pool heaters, irrigation systems, securitysystems, space heaters, window AC units, motorized duct vents, and soforth. In some implementations, when plugged in, an appliance mayannounce itself to the smart home network, such as by indicating whattype of appliance it is, and it may automatically integrate with thecontrols of the smart home. Such communication by the appliance to thesmart home may be facilitated by either a wired or wirelesscommunication protocol. The smart home may also include a variety ofnon-communicating legacy appliances 140, such as old conventionalwasher/dryers, refrigerators, and the like, which may be controlled bysmart wall plugs 110. The smart home environment 100 may further includea variety of partially communicating legacy appliances 142, such asinfrared (“IR”) controlled wall air conditioners or other IR-controlleddevices, which may be controlled by IR signals provided by the smarthazard detectors 104 or the smart wall switches 108.

In some implementations, the smart home environment 100 includes one ormore network-connected cameras 118 that are configured to provide videomonitoring and security in the smart home environment 100. The cameras118 may be used to determine occupancy of the structure 150 and/orparticular rooms 152 in the structure 150, and thus may act as occupancysensors. For example, video captured by the cameras 118 may be processedto identify the presence of an occupant in the structure 150 (e.g., in aparticular room 152). Specific individuals may be identified based, forexample, on their appearance (e.g., height, face) and/or movement (e.g.,their walk/gait). Cameras 118 may additionally include one or moresensors (e.g., IR sensors, motion detectors), input devices (e.g.,microphone for capturing audio), and output devices (e.g., speaker foroutputting audio).

Alternatively, in some implementations, the smart home environment 100includes one or more network-connected microphone device 124 that areconfigured to capture audio and provide security functions in the smarthome environment 100. Optionally, the microphone device 124 is astand-alone device that is not included in any other smart device, andcan be regarded as a type of smart home device in this application.Optionally, the microphone device 124 is part of another client device502 or another smart electronic device other than the cameras 118. Themicrophone device 124 may be used to determine occupancy of thestructure 150 and/or particular rooms 152 in the structure 150, and thusmay act as occupancy sensors. Specifically, audio captured by themicrophone device 124 may be processed to identify the presence of anoccupant in the structure 150 (e.g., in a particular room 152). Specificindividuals may be identified based, for example, on characteristic oftheir voices.

In some implementations, audio captured by the microphones in thecameras 118 or the microphone device 124 may also be processed toidentify audio features (e.g., a baby sound), and relevant signatureevents (e.g., a baby cry event) when the audio features meetpredetermined criteria.

The smart home environment 100 may additionally or alternatively includeone or more other occupancy sensors (e.g., the smart doorbell 106, smartdoor locks 120, touch screens, IR sensors, microphones, ambient lightsensors, motion detectors, smart nightlights 170, etc.). In someimplementations, the smart home environment 100 includes radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) readers (e.g., in each room 152 or a portionthereof) that determine occupancy based on RFID tags located on orembedded in occupants. For example, RFID readers may be integrated intothe smart hazard detectors 104.

The smart home environment 100 may also include communication withdevices outside of the physical home but within a proximate geographicalrange of the home. For example, the smart home environment 100 mayinclude a pool heater monitor 114 that communicates a current pooltemperature to other devices within the smart home environment 100and/or receives commands for controlling the pool temperature.Similarly, the smart home environment 100 may include an irrigationmonitor 116 that communicates information regarding irrigation systemswithin the smart home environment 100 and/or receives controlinformation for controlling such irrigation systems.

By virtue of network connectivity, one or more of the smart home devicesof FIG. 1 may further allow a user to interact with the device even ifthe user is not proximate to the device. For example, a user maycommunicate with a device using a computer (e.g., a desktop computer,laptop computer, or tablet) or other portable electronic device 166(e.g., a mobile phone, such as a smart phone). A webpage or applicationmay be configured to receive communications from the user and controlthe device based on the communications and/or to present informationabout the device's operation to the user. For example, the user may viewa current set point temperature for a device (e.g., a stove) and adjustit using a computer. The user may be in the structure during this remotecommunication or outside the structure.

As discussed above, users may control smart devices in the smart homeenvironment 100 using a network-connected computer or portableelectronic device 166. In some examples, some or all of the occupants(e.g., individuals who live in the home) may register their device 166with the smart home environment 100. Such registration may be made at acentral server to authenticate the occupant and/or the device as beingassociated with the home and to give permission to the occupant to usethe device to control the smart devices in the home. An occupant may usetheir registered device 166 to remotely control the smart devices of thehome, such as when the occupant is at work or on vacation. The occupantmay also use their registered device to control the smart devices whenthe occupant is actually located inside the home, such as when theoccupant is sitting on a couch inside the home. It should be appreciatedthat instead of or in addition to registering devices 166, the smarthome environment 100 may make inferences about which individuals live inthe home and are therefore occupants and which devices 166 areassociated with those individuals. As such, the smart home environmentmay “learn” who is an occupant and permit the devices 166 associatedwith those individuals to control the smart devices of the home.

In some implementations, in addition to containing processing andsensing capabilities, devices 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116,118, 120, 122 and/or 124 (collectively referred to as “the smartdevices”) are capable of data communications and information sharingwith other smart devices, a central server or cloud-computing system,and/or other devices that are network-connected. Data communications maybe carried out using any of a variety of custom or standard wirelessprotocols (e.g., IEEE 802.15.4, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, Thread, Z-Wave,Bluetooth Smart, ISA100.11a, WirelessHART, MiWi, etc.) and/or any of avariety of custom or standard wired protocols (e.g., Ethernet, HomePlug,etc.), or any other suitable communication protocol, includingcommunication protocols not yet developed as of the filing date of thisdocument.

In some implementations, the smart devices serve as wireless or wiredrepeaters. In some implementations, a first one of the smart devicescommunicates with a second one of the smart devices via a wirelessrouter. The smart devices may further communicate with each other via aconnection (e.g., network interface 160) to a network, such as theInternet 162. Through the Internet 162, the smart devices maycommunicate with a smart home provider server system 164 (also called acentral server system and/or a cloud-computing system herein). The smarthome provider server system 164 may be associated with a manufacturer,support entity, or service provider associated with the smart device(s).In some implementations, a user is able to contact customer supportusing a smart device itself rather than needing to use othercommunication means, such as a telephone or Internet-connected computer.In some implementations, software updates are automatically sent fromthe smart home provider server system 164 to smart devices (e.g., whenavailable, when purchased, or at routine intervals).

In some implementations, the network interface 160 includes aconventional network device (e.g., a router), and the smart homeenvironment 100 of FIG. 1 includes a hub device 180 that iscommunicatively coupled to the network(s) 162 directly or via thenetwork interface 160. The hub device 180 is further communicativelycoupled to one or more of the above intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected devices (e.g., smart devices of the smart homeenvironment 100). Each of these smart devices optionally communicateswith the hub device 180 using one or more radio communication networksavailable at least in the smart home environment 100 (e.g., ZigBee,Z-Wave, Insteon, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other radio communicationnetworks). In some implementations, the hub device 180 and devicescoupled with/to the hub device can be controlled and/or interacted withvia an application running on a smart phone, household controller,laptop, tablet computer, game console or similar electronic device. Insome implementations, a user of such controller application can viewstatus of the hub device or coupled smart devices, configure the hubdevice to interoperate with smart devices newly introduced to the homenetwork, commission new smart devices, and adjust or view settings ofconnected smart devices, etc. In some implementations the hub deviceextends capabilities of low capability smart device to matchcapabilities of the highly capable smart devices of the same type,integrates functionality of multiple different device types—even acrossdifferent communication protocols, and is configured to streamlineadding of new devices and commissioning of the hub device.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a camera assembly 200 that includes astand assembly 202 and a camera module 204 in accordance with someimplementations, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a camera assembly 200shown in FIG. 2A in accordance with some implementations. Referring toFIG. 2B, the stand assembly 202 includes a receiving element 206 forreceiving the camera module 204, and a base assembly 208 for supportingthe receiving element 206. The base assembly 208 includes a base 210shaped to rest against a supporting surface, and a joint 212 coupled atthe base 210.

The receiving element 206 further includes a module holding structure214 that is configured to hold the camera module 204 (FIG. 2A).Specifically, in some implementations, the module holding structure 214includes a cutout opening that has a shape conforming to a contour ofthe camera module 204, and is configured to hold the camera module 204when the module is inserted within the cutout opening 204.Alternatively, in some implementations, the cutout opening has anon-conforming shape that is distinct from that associated with thecontour of the camera module 204, and the camera module 204 isconfigured to fit within the non-conforming shape of the cutout openingwhen the module is inserted within the cutout opening 204. For example,the camera module 204 has a circular contour, and the cutout opening ofthe module holding structure 214 is associated with a polygon (e.g., asquare, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc.) into which the circular contour canfit. In some implementations, the camera module 204 is held onto thereceiving element 206 by one or more module fasteners 216 (e.g., asnap). When the module fasteners 216 are depressed, the camera module204 is removed from the cutout opening of the receiving element 206.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the receiving element 206 and the camera module204 held thereon have at least two degrees of freedom of motion withrespect to the base assembly 208. In accordance with a first degree offreedom of motion, the receiving element 206 and the camera module 204can be rotated or twisted around a twisting axis 218 that passes throughthe receiving element 204 and is perpendicular to a planar surface ofthe base 210 (e.g., a bottom surface of the base 210). In accordancewith a second degree of freedom of motion, the receiving element 206 andthe camera module 204 can be flipped around a flipping axis 220 thatpasses through a joint 212 and is laid substantially in parallel to theplanar surface of the base 210. In some implementations, when the cameramodule 204 is held onto the receiving element 206 by the modulefasteners 216, it is configured to rotate within the cutout openingaround a self rotation axis 222 that passes through a center of thecamera module 204.

Optionally, the camera assembly 200 is placed on a desktop surface andsits on the bottom surface of the base 210 of the stand assembly 202.Optionally, the camera assembly 200 further includes a mount structure224 for mounting the camera assembly 200 onto an alternative mountingsurface. An example of the mount structure 224 is a wall mount that isconfigured to be fixed on a wall surface. When the base assembly 208 ofthe stand assembly 202 is attached to the mount structure 224, thecamera is anchored at the location where the mount structure is fixed.In some implementations, the base assembly 208 and the mount structure224 are attached to each other by a magnetic attraction force. The baseassembly 208 can be rotated freely about its central axis with respectto the mounting structure 224 and can be fixed in place at any angle ofrotation with respect to the mounting structure 224 (e.g., by usingmagnetic attraction as described herein, an adhesive, or mechanicalattachment).

Further, in some implementations, the mount structure 224 includes acable guide structure 226 that is arranged on the edge of the mountstructure 224. The cable guide structure 226 is configured to guide acable 250 or 252 that electrically couples the camera module 204received in the receiving element 206 to an external power supply 228 oranother electronic device 242 (e.g., a computational machine). Thecamera module 204 is configured to receive power and data from theexternal power supply 228 and the electronic device 242 using the cables250 and 252. Alternatively, in some implementations, power is providedby a cable 250, while data is provided wirelessly.

In accordance with various implementations of the application, thecamera module 204 includes one or more of a camera lens 230, imagesensors 232, a microphone 234, a speaker 236, wireless transceivercircuit 238 and one or more antennas 240. In some implementations, thecamera module 204 includes an HD (e.g., 720p, 1080p, or higher) cameramade of the camera lens 230 and one or more high definition imagesensors 232. In some implementations, the camera module 204 includes amicrophone and a speaker, such that a person reviewing a live video feedfrom the camera module 204 can talk in-real to someone being filmed bythe camera module 204. In some implementations, the camera module 204includes a connection port (e.g., female adapter) to which a connectionplug (e.g., male adapter) is able to be coupled to supply power ortransfer data. For example, the connection port includes a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) port, and is used as an input/output interface viawhich information about a Wi-Fi network is supplied to the camera module204 (e.g., the name and password of the Wi-Fi network, an encryptionkey, etc.). Other examples of the connection port include, but are notlimited to, an Ethernet port, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface(HDMI) port, and a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) port. More details on thegeometries, the components and the functions of the camera module 204are explained below with reference to FIGS. 3A-3D.

In some implementations, the camera module 204 includes a Wi-Fi antennaand a Wi-Fi transceiver for communicating data (e.g., multimedia datacaptured by the camera module 204) over a wireless local area network.In some implementations, the camera module 204 includes a Bluetoothantenna and a Bluetooth transceiver coupled to the Bluetooth antenna.The Bluetooth antenna is used to enable communication with a clientdevice (e.g., a mobile phone) for the purposes of provisioning thecamera module 204. In some implementations, the camera module 204includes a radio antenna and a radio transceiver coupled to the radioantenna. The radio antenna transmits and receives signals according tothe IEEE 802.15.4 specifications, and is configured to facilitatecommunication between the camera module 204 and other smart home devices(e.g., the hub device 180 and the thermostats 102).

In some implementations, the camera module 204 is associated with asoftware application and a related user interface displayed on a clientdevice. The user interface is optionally an Internet browser application(e.g., Microsoft's Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox) running on acomputer or a dedicated and/or downloaded application running on a smartphone. A user is able to view video captured by the camera module 204remotely and/or via a network from the Internet browser application orthe dedicated and/or downloaded mobile application.

It is noted that a stand assembly 202 can be configured to support otherelectronic devices in the smart home environment 100, such asthermostats 102, hazard detectors 104, doorbells 106, wall switches 108,wall plugs 110, pool heater monitor 114, irrigation monitor 116, alarmsystems 122, microphone devices 124, and other occupancy sensors (e.g.,IR sensors, ambient light sensors, motion detectors, etc.).Specifically, the module holding structure 214 of the stand assembly 202is configured to match the dimension and geometry of the electronicdevice supported by the stand assembly 202.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a perspective view, a front view, a rear view anda bottom view of a camera module 204 in accordance with someimplementations, respectively. In some implementations, the cameramodule 204 has a circular contour, and the cutout opening of thereceiving element 206 therefore has a circular shape conforming to thecontour of the camera module 204 for the purposes of holding the cameramodule 204.

In some implementations, the camera module 204 includes a status light302 that is disposed in the proximity of the camera lens for thepurposes of indicating whether the camera module 204 is powered onand/or filming. In some situations, when the status light 302 is in thered color, it indicates that the camera module 204 is powered on but notrecording video data, and when the status light 302 is in the greencolor, it indicates that the camera module 204 is recording video datain real-time. When the status light 302 is powered off, it indicatesthat the camera module 204 is powered off. It is noted that in someimplementations, the power and operation statuses of the camera module204 are indicated by two or more status lights 302 rather than by thecolor of a single status light 302.

In some implementations, the camera module 204 further includes anambient light detector 308 that senses availability or intensity ofambient light. The resulting information is used to control parametersof the camera lens, enhance image processing of a captured image, orenable alternative illumination modes (e.g., an infrared lightillumination mode).

In some implementations, the back of the camera module 204 is carvedwith a plurality of grooves 304. The grooves increase friction with thecamera module 204 and protect it from slipping to the ground, when thecamera module 204 is assembled or disassembled onto the stand assembly202. Further, in some implementations, the microphone 234 or the speaker236 is embedded under the carved grooves on the back of the cameramodule 204. In some implementations, the back of the camera module 204further includes a reset pin 320. When a user of the camera module 204presses the reset pin 320, the camera module 204 is reset to itsoriginal status that it has when it is shipped out of factory.

Referring to FIG. 3D, in some implementations, the bottom of the cameramodule 204 further includes a connection port 306 to which a connectionplug is able to be coupled to supply power or transfer data. Forexample, the connection port 306 includes one or more of a USB port, anEthernet port, a HDMI port, and a PoE port. The connection port 306 isused as an input/output interface via which information about the Wi-Finetwork is supplied to the camera module 204 (e.g., the name andpassword of the Wi-Fi network, an encryption key, etc.). In anotherexample, the connection port 246 connects to a power cable thatelectrically couples the camera module 204 to an external power supply.In some implementation, the speaker 236 is disposed on the bottom of thecamera module 204.

It is noted that in the above implementations, the microphone 234, thespeaker 236, the reset pin 320 and the connection port 306 are arrangedon the back or the bottom of the camera module 204 to render a compactform factor. The locations of these components are not limited by theabove arrangements, and can be arranged elsewhere, e.g., on the front orthe periphery of the camera module 204.

As shown in FIG. 3D, the camera module 204 has a relatively low profile.When it is flipped down around the flipping axis 220 that passes throughthe joint 212 of the base assembly 208, the back of the camera module204 can almost reach a desktop surface or a mounting surface againstwhich the base assembly 208 rests. Under these circumstances, the lowprofile of the camera module 204 results in a large adjustable angle forthe camera module 204, and allows the camera module 204 to be packagedin a shipping box in a compact manner.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a stand assembly 202 for supporting amodule (e.g., a camera module 204) in accordance with someimplementations, and FIG. 4B illustrates a stand assembly 202 that isdecoupled to a receiving element 206 and a base assembly 208 inaccordance with some implementations. Further, FIG. 4C illustrates astand assembly 202 that includes fastener structures 404 and 406 formechanically coupling a receiving element 206 to a base assembly 208 inaccordance with some implementations.

As explained above, the stand assembly 202 includes the receivingelement 206 and the base assembly 208. The receiving element 206includes a module holding structure 214 and an extended portion 402 thatextends from the module holding structure 214. In some implementations,the module holding structure 214 is substantially flat. Here, the cameramodule 204 is removed from the module holding structure 214 of thereceiving element 206. The receiving element 206 further includes afirst fastener structure 404 coupled to an end of the extended portion402 located opposite another end of the extended portion 402 thatextends from the module holding structure 214. In some implementations,the first fastener structure 404 is entirely hidden inside the extendedportion 402 when the receiving element 206 is assembled onto the baseassembly 208.

In addition to the base 210, the base assembly 208 further includes asecond fastener structure 406. As shown in FIG. 4B, in someimplementations, the second fastener structure 406 is coupled to thebase 210 of the base assembly 208 at a joint 212. The second fastenerstructure 406 is configured to mate with the first fastener structure404. In a specific example, the first fastener structure 404 includes ascrew hole, and the second fastener structure 406 includes a screwstructure that matches the screw hole of the first fastener structure404. When the first fastener structure 404 is entirely hidden inside theextended portion 402, both the fastener structures 404 and 406 arestructurally invisible to a user when the receiving element 206 isassembled onto the base assembly 208. As such, in some implementations,the first fastener structure 404 associated with the first degree offreedom of motion is structurally invisible to a user of the standassembly 202, and the joint 212 associated with the second degree offreedom of motion is structurally visible to the user of the standassembly 202.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a stand assembly 202 for supporting asensor module in accordance with some implementations. As explainedabove, the stand assembly 202 includes the receiving element 206 and thebase assembly 208. The receiving element 206 includes:

-   -   a module holding structure 214 and an extended portion 402 that        are made of a piece of material; and    -   a first fastener structure 404.

The base assembly 208 further includes one or more of the followingcomponents:

-   -   a base 210;    -   a second fastener structure 406;    -   one or more joint fasteners 212A-212D for creating a joint 212        at the base 210;    -   a hinge carrier 502 where the joint 212 and a magnet plate 504        are mounted;    -   the magnet plate 504 that is integrated in the base assembly        208;    -   one or more magnet fasteners 506 that fasten the magnet plate        504 to the hinge carrier 502 or the base 210;    -   one or more base fasteners 508 that fasten the hinge carrier 502        to the base 210;    -   a cover plate 510 that is attached to a bottom surface of the        base 210 for sealing the hinge carrier 502 and the magnet plate        504 inside the base assembly 208; and    -   one or more rubber patches 512 that are attached to the bottom        surface of the base 210 for increasing friction on the bottom        surface.

In various implementations of the applications, the first fastenerstructure 404 and the joint 212 are configured to provide a first degreeof freedom of motion and a second degree of freedom of motion of thereceiving element 206 with respect to the base 210, respectively. Moredetails on the methods of assembling the first fastener structure 404and the joint 212 are explained below with reference to FIGS. 7A-7F,8A-8C, 9A, and 9B.

In some implementations, the stand assembly 202 further includes a mountstructure 224 that is configured be attached and fixed onto a mountingsurface using mount fasteners (e.g., screws). At least part of the mountstructure 224 is made of magnetically attractable material, such thatthe stand assembly 202 can be mounted onto a mounting surface when thebase 210 of the base assembly 208 magnetically adheres onto the mountstructure 224. Specifically, in some implementations, the mountstructure 224 includes:

-   -   a magnetically attractable plate 514 that is configured to        adhere to the magnet plate 504 when they are placed in the        proximity to or in contact with each other;    -   a mount structure 224 that receives the magnetically attractable        plate 514 and is configured for being fixed on a mounting        surface; and    -   one or more mount fasteners 518 that are applied to fasten the        mount structure 224 to a mounting surface.

In some implementations, the stand assembly 202 further includes adetachable foam plate 520. When the detachable foam plate 520 isdisposed between the bottom surface of the base 210 and the mountstructure 224, the detachable foam plate 520 increases a distancebetween the magnet plate 504 of the base assembly 208 and themagnetically attractable plate 514 of the mount structure 224, andtherefore reduces a magnetic attraction force between the base assembly208 and the mount structure 224. In some implementations, the magneticattraction force is relatively large, and it requires a large force todetach the base assembly 208 from the mount structure 224 once theyadhere to each other. This detachable foam plate 520 protects the baseassembly 208 from magnetically adhering to the mount structure 224before the mount structure 224 is fixed on a mounting surface, therebyeasing the difficulty of handling the stand assembly 202 for a user ofthe stand assembly 202.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate three example positions of a receiving element206 when the receiving element 206 is rotated/twisted with respect to abase assembly 208 at a first degree of freedom of motion in accordancewith some implementation. The base 210 includes a planar surface (e.g.,a bottom surface) for resting against a supporting surface, and thefirst degree of freedom of motion is associated with twisting of thereceiving element 206 with respect to a twisting axis 218 that passesthrough the receiving element and is perpendicular to the planar surfaceof the base 210. The movement of the receiving element 206 at the firstdegree of freedom has substantially consistent resistance through firstpart of a first full range of motion associated with the first degree offreedom of motion. In a specific example, the first part of the firstfull range of motion is associated with a twisting angle that issubstantially equal to 90 degrees. Stated another way, the receivingelement 206 has a nominal position (FIG. 6B), and is configured to betwisted up to 45 degrees in either the clockwise or counterclockwisedirection to reach two end positions (FIGS. 6A and 6C).

FIGS. 6D and 6E illustrate two example end positions of a receivingelement 206 when the receiving element 206 is rotated/flipped withrespect to a base assembly 208 at a second degree of freedom of motionin accordance with some implementation. The base 210 includes a planarsurface (e.g., a bottom surface) for resting against a supportingsurface, and the second degree of freedom of motion that is enabled by ajoint 212 is associated with rotating/flipping of the receiving element206 with respect to a flipping axis 220 that passes through the joint212 and is substantially parallel to the planar surface of the base 210.The movement of the receiving element 206 at the second degree offreedom has substantially consistent resistance through a second fullrange of motion associated with the second degree of freedom. In aspecific example, the receiving element 206 is configured to flip withrespect to the flipping axis 220 by an angle that is substantially equalto 180 degrees. Stated another way, the receiving element 206 starts ata nominal position (FIG. 6B), and is configured to be flipped up to 90degrees in either the forward or backward direction to reach two endpositions (FIGS. 6D and 6E).

In some implementations, the nominal position is reached when the moduleholding structure 214 of the receiving element 206 is arranged to alignin parallel or overlap with both the twisting axis 218 and the flippingaxis 220. When the receiving element 206 is flipped at the second degreeof freedom of motion to an end position (FIG. 6D or 6E), the receivingelement 206 and the camera module 204 mounted there on are laid in asubstantially flat position, i.e., substantially in parallel with theplanar surface of the base 210. The back of the camera module 204 canalmost reach a desktop surface or a mounting surface against which thebase assembly 208 rests. Under these circumstances, if the camera module204 has a low profile, it would obtain a large adjustable angle at thefully flipped end positions, and can also be packaged in a shipping boxin a compact manner (see FIGS. 14A-14F).

FIG. 6F illustrates a receiving element 206 that is both twisted at thefirst degree of freedom of motion and rotated at the second degree offreedom of motion in accordance with some implementation. Specifically,in this example, the receiving element 206 is twisted by a firsttwisting angle in a clockwise direction associated with the first degreeof freedom of motion, and flipped by a second flipping angle in abackward direction associated with the second degree of freedom ofmotion. Optionally, both the first twisting angle and the secondflipping angle are measured with reference to the nominal position (FIG.6B). Likewise, the clockwise, counterclockwise, forward and backwarddirections are also described with reference to the nominal position.

FIG. 7A is a side view of a stand assembly 202 in accordance with someimplementations, and FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view 702 of a crosssection A-A′ of the stand assembly 202 shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7C is anenlarged view 704 of a region B shown in FIG. 7B in accordance with someimplementations. The region B includes two fastener structures thatcouple a receiving element 206 to a base assembly 208 in the standassembly 202. FIGS. 7D, 7E and 7F illustrate an exploded view, across-sectional view 706 (cross section A-A′), and a side view 708 of ajoint 212 of a stand assembly 202 shown in FIG. 7B in accordance withsome implementations, respectively.

As explained above, the receiving element 206 is configured to move withrespect to the base 210 at the first degree of freedom of motion whenthe first fastener structure 404 is fastened onto the second fastenerstructure 406 of the base assembly 208. In accordance with the enlargedview of the two fastener structures (FIG. 7C), the first fastenerstructure 404 of the receiving element 206 further includes a screw hole710 and a nylon-like bushing 712 coupled at the end of the screw hole710. The screw hole 710 matches a screw structure 714 of the secondfastener structure 406. The screw hole 710 has a predetermined threadlength, and provides a second part of the first full range of motionwhen the first fastener structure 404 is fastened onto the secondfastener structure 406 via the screw hole 710 and the screw structure714. The nylon-like bushing 712 has a predetermined bushing depth, andprovides the first part of the first full range of motion when the firstfastener structure 404 is fastened onto the second fastener structure406 via the screw hole 710 and the screw structure 714. The second partof the first full range of motion is distinct from the first part of thefirst full range of motion. As such, the second fastener structure 406sequentially passes the second part and the first part of the first fullrange of motion associated with the first degree of freedom of motion,when it is fastened into the first fastener structure 404 of thereceiving element 206.

In some implementations, the nylon-like bushing has a first coefficientof friction that is associated with the substantially consistentresistance through the first part of the first full range of motion, andthe screw hole has a second coefficient of friction that is associatedwith alternative resistance through the second part of the first fullrange of motion. The alternative resistance through the second part ofthe first full range of motion is distinct from the substantiallyconsistent resistance through the first part of the first full range ofmotion.

When the second fastener structure 406 is fully tightened into the screwhole 710 and the nylon-like bushing 712 of the first fastener structure404, the first fastener structure 404 is coupled to the second fastenerstructure 406 at its tightened position. The tightened position of thefirst fastener structure 404 is associated with an end position (FIG. 6Aor 6C) that the receiving element 206 has within the first part of thefirst full range of motion associated with the first degree of freedomof motion.

As shown in FIG. 7D, in some implementations, the second fastenerstructure 406 of the base assembly 208 is flattened to have twosubstantially flat surfaces, such that it can fit into a base openingslot 716 on the base assembly 208. The second fastener structure 406includes a screw structure 714 on its top half and a joint hole 718 onits bottom half. While the top half of the second fastener structure 406is fastened to the first fastener structure 404, the bottom half of thesecond fastener structure 406 fits into the base opening slot 716 toform the joint 212 that rotates with respect to the joint hole 718.

In some implementations, a hinge carrier 720 is used as a platform tocreate a joint 212. The joint 212 includes a plurality of jointfasteners, e.g., a first bushing 212A, a second bushing 212B, a bevelspring stack 212C and a hinge screw 212D. The joint fasteners 212A-212Dtogether fasten the bottom half of the second fastener structure 406onto the carrier slot 720 of the hinge carrier 502 to form the joint212. Specifically, the first and second bushings 212A and 212B aredisposed on two sides of the second fastener structure 406, and betweenthe respective side of the second fastener structure 406 and the carrierslot 710 of the hinge carrier 502. The first and second bushings 212Aand 212B provide side to side location and smooth bearing surfaces forthe joint 212. In addition, the bevel spring stack 212C providespositive tension on the hinge screw 212D, and creates frictionalresistance and torque around a hinge axis 730 when the hinge screw 212Dis tightened through the joint hole 718 and a screw hole 722 on thehinge carrier 502 to form the joint 212. The hinge axis 730 passesthrough the center of the joint hole 718 on the second fastenerstructure 406, and substantially overlaps the flipping axis 220associated with the second degree of freedom of motion of the receivingelement 206 with respect to the base assembly 208.

When the hinge carrier 502 is assembled into the base 210, the screwstructure 714 of the second fastener structure 406 extends beyond thebase opening slot 716. The second fastener structure 406 is configuredto rotate around the hinge axis 730 while being constrained within thebase opening slot 716. When the screw structure 714 of the secondfastener structure 406 is fastened with the first fastener structure404, the receiving element 206 is mounted onto the base assembly 208,and therefore can rotate or flip with respect to its flipping axis 220(i.e., the hinge axis 730) to provide the second degree of freedom ofmotion for a module mounted onto the module holding structure 214.

FIG. 8A illustrates another exemplary stand assembly 202 in whichmovement of a receiving element 206 with respect to a base assembly 208is unlimited in a direction of travel associated with a first degree offreedom of motion in accordance with some implementations. FIG. 8B is anexploded view of a receiving element 206 that has an unlimited movementrange in a direction of travel associated with a first degree of freedomof motion as shown in FIG. 8A in accordance with some implementations.FIG. 8C is a cross sectional view of fastener structures of a standassembly 202 that enable an unlimited movement range in a direction oftravel associated with a first degree of freedom of motion as shown inFIG. 8A in accordance with some implementations.

The movement of the receiving element 206 at the first degree of freedomis unlimited in a first direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) oftravel associated with the first degree of freedom. The first degree offreedom is associated with a reverse direction (e.g., a counterclockwisedirection) of travel that is opposite to the first direction of travelassociated with the unlimited movement at the first degree of freedom,and the first and second fastener structures 404 and 406 are unfastenedwhen the receiving element 206 moves with respect to the base assembly208 in the reverse direction of travel associate with the first degreeof freedom. As such, in some implementations, a user of the standassembly 202 is required to adjust the orientation of the module mountedonto the receiving element 206 by twisting the receiving element 206only in the first direction of travel.

Referring to FIGS. 8B and 8C, in some implementations, the firstfastener structure 404 further includes a shoulder screw 802, a sleevebushing 804, a spring washer 806, and a collar 808. The collar 808 isfastened inside the sleeve bushing 804 to provide a screw hole thatmatches a screw structure of the second fastener structure 406. Thescrew hole of the collar 808 is configured to be tightened onto thescrew structure of the second fastener structure 406 along the firstdirection of travel associated with the first degree of freedom. Whenthe receiving element 206 moves further along the first direction oftravel, the sleeve bushing 804 and the screw hole of the first fastenerstructure 404 do not move and therefore are fixed with respect to thesecond fastener structure 406 of the base assembly 208.

The extended portion 402 of the receiving element 206 includes a threadlocker 812 embedded therein, the shoulder screw 802 is configured tolock into place with the thread locker 812 for the purposes of fasteningthe first fastener structure 404 to the receiving element 206. As such,the first fastener structure 404 is configured to be loosely suspendedwithin the extended portion 402 of the receiving element 206 via theshoulder screw 802. The spring washer 806 is mounted on the top of thesleeve bushing 804. When the first fastener structure 404 is fastenedinto the extended portion 402, the spring washer 806 can touch theinterior wall of the extended portion 402, and compression of the springwasher 806 defines a torque resistance for rotating the receivingelement 206 at the first degree of freedom of motion.

The receiving element 206 further includes a low friction bushing 810that is attached onto the interior wall of the extended portion 402. Inaccordance with the unlimited motion in the direction of travelassociated with the first degree of freedom of motion, the sleevebushing 804 of the first fastener structure 404 is tightened onto thesecond fastener structure 406 and rotates against the surface of the lowfriction bushing 810 inside the extended portion 402. Stated anotherway, the low friction bushing 810 wraps around the first fastenerstructure, and rotates as part of the receiving element 206 with respectto the base assembly 208, and with respect to the first fastenerstructure 404 when the first fastener structure 404 is tightened ontothe second fastener structure 406 of the base assembly 208. The torqueresistance associated with the rotation is defined by the spring washer806 mounted on the top of the sleeve bushing 804. Moreover, the lowfriction bushing 810 is configured to hug the first fastener structure404 closely, such that the first fastener structure 404 does not wobbleinside the extended portion 402 or cause an unstable support for themodule mounted on the stand assembly 202. In some implementations, thelow friction bushing 810 is made of elastic rubber material.

In some implementations, the spring washer 806 renders a substantiallyconsistent resistance for the unlimited movement of the receivingelement 206 in the first direction of travel associated with the firstdegree of freedom of motion. Further, in some implementations, theunlimited movement of the receiving element at the first direction oftravel is associated with a first torque resistance optionally createdby the spring washer 806, and the first torque resistance issubstantially greater than a second torque resistance that is requiredto unfasten the receiving element from the base assembly in the reversedirection of travel.

FIG. 9A illustrate another exemplary stand assembly 202 in whichmovement of a receiving element 206 with respect to a base assembly 208is limited at a second degree of freedom of motion in accordance withsome implementations. The second degree of freedom of motion isassociated with flipping of the receiving element 206 at a joint 212 ofthe base assembly 208 with respect to a flipping axis 220, and theflipping axis 220 passes through the joint 212 and is substantiallyparallel to a planar surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the base 210.The movement of the receiving element 206 at the second degree offreedom has substantially consistent resistance through a second fullrange of motion associated with the second degree of freedom. The secondfull range of motion is limited. In a specific example, the receivingelement 206 is configured to flip with respect to the flipping axis 220by an angle that is substantially equal to 180 degrees. Stated anotherway, the receiving element 206 starts at a nominal position (e.g., avertical position shown in FIG. 6B), and is configured to be flipped upto 90 degrees in either the forward or backward direction to reach itsend positions of a second full range of motion associated with thesecond degree of freedom of motion.

FIG. 9B is an exploded view of a joint 212 that is assembled onto ahinge carrier 502 to provide to a receiving element 206 a limitedmovement range at a second degree of freedom of motion shown in FIG. 9Ain accordance with some implementations. The second fastener structure406 includes a screw structure 714 on its top half and a collar 902 onits bottom half, and a joint hole 718 is formed on the collar 902. Insome implementations, both the screw structure 714 and the collar 902are flattened to have two substantially flat surfaces, such that theyfit into a base opening slot 716 on the base assembly 208. In someimplementations as shown in FIG. 9B, the screw structure 714 has a screwdiameter that fits into the base opening slot 716, while the collar 902is flattened for fitting into the base opening slot 716. While the tophalf of the second fastener structure 406 is fastened into the firstfastener structure 404, the bottom half of the second fastener structure406 is fastened onto a hinge carrier 502 to form the joint 212 that canrotate around the joint hole 718.

The hinge carrier 720 is used as a platform to create the joint 212. Thejoint 212 includes a plurality of joint fasteners 212A-212D that furtherincludes a collar bushing 212A, a thrust bushing 212B, a spring washerset 212C and a shoulder screw 212D. The joint fasteners 212A-212Dtogether fasten the bottom half of the second fastener structure 406onto a carrier slot 720 of a hinge carrier 502. The collar bushing 212Aand the thrust bushing 212B provide side to side location and smoothbearing surfaces in contact with the collar 902. Additionally, thespring washer set 212C provides positive tension on the shoulder screw212D, and creates frictional resistance and/or torque around a hingeaxis 730 when the hinge screw 212D is tightened through the joint hole718 and a screw hole 722 on the hinge carrier 502 to form the joint 212.The hinge axis 730 passes through the center of the joint hole 718 onthe second fastener structure 406, and substantially overlaps theflipping axis 220 associated with the second degree of freedom of motionof the receiving element 206 with respect to the base assembly 208.

As explained above with reference to FIGS. 7E and 7F, when the hingecarrier 502 is assembled into the base 210, the screw structure 714 ofthe second fastener structure 406 extends beyond the base opening slot716. The second fastener structure 406 is configured to rotate aroundthe hinge axis 730 while being constrained within the base opening slot716. When the screw structure 714 of the second fastener structure 406is fastened with the first fastener structure 404, the receiving element206 is mounted onto the base assembly 208, and therefore can flip withrespect to its flipping axis 220 (i.e., the hinge axis 730) to providethe second degree of freedom of motion for a module mounted onto itsmodule holding structure 214.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a process 1000 for assembling a standassembly 202 in accordance with some implementations. As shown in FIG.10A, a second fastener structure 406 is mounted on a hinge carrier 502to provide a joint 212. The hinge carrier 502 is then assembled to abase 210, and fixed thereon via one or more base fasteners 506. In someimplementations, as shown in the inset of FIG. 10A, the one or more basefasteners 506 include screws that are fastened through screw holes on abottom surface of the hinge carrier 502, and anchored onto screw holesinside the base 210. As such, the hinge carrier 502 is fully assembledto the base 210 to provide a base assembly 208 in which the secondfastener structure 406 extends from a base opening slot 716 of the base210.

In some implementations, a standalone first fastener structure 404 isthen tightened onto the exposed second fastener structure 406 of thebase assembly 208, until the first fastener structure 404 reaches atightened position of its full range of motion. It is noted that thetightened position of the first fastener structure is associated with anend position (FIG. 6A or 6C) that the receiving element 206 has within afirst part of a first full range of motion associated with the firstdegree of freedom. After the first fastener structure 404 is tightenedonto the second fastener structure 406, the module holding structure 214and the extended portion 402 of the receiving element 206 is pressedonto the first fastener structure 404 to mount the receiving element 206to the base assembly 208. After the mount press, the first fastenerstructure 404 is mechanically coupled inside the extended portion 402 ofthe receiving element 206. In some implementations, the first fastenerstructure 404 cannot be detached from the receiving element 206 withoutcausing damage to the first fastener structure 404 or the receivingelement 206.

In some implementations, after it is determined that the first fastenerstructure 404 reaches its tightened position, the receiving element 206is reversely twisted at the first degree of freedom of motion by a firstangle to orient the receiving element 206 to a nominal position (FIG.6B). At the nominal position, the module holding structure 214 of thereceiving element 206 is aligned in parallel or overlaps with both thetwisting axis 218 and the flipping axis 220, and therefore, thereceiving element 206 and a module received thereby are configured toface substantially up when they are flipped down via the joint 212 atthe second degree of freedom of motion.

In some implementations, the first angle is half of a first part of afirst full range of motion associated with the first degree of freedomof motion. Stated another way, the nominal position is locatedsubstantially in the middle of the first part of the first full range ofmotion associated with the first degree of freedom of motion. To obtainsuch a nominal position, the module holding structure 214 of thereceiving element 206 needs to be properly oriented prior to and duringthe mount press according to the end position associated with the firstpart of the first full range of motion associated with the first degreeof freedom as shown in FIG. 6A. Under some circumstances, the moduleholding structure 214 of the receiving element 206 is not properlyoriented prior to and during the mount press according to the endposition associated with the first degree of freedom as shown in FIG.6A. The first part of the first full range of motion is not centered atthe nominal position. The receiving element 206 has a larger range ofmotion on one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions than theother of these two directions.

Alternatively, in some implementations not illustrated in FIGS. 10A and10B, the first fastener structure 404 is attached to the receivingelement 206 before it is fastened onto the second fastener structure 406of the base assembly 208. The first fastener structure 404 needs to bealigned to the module holding structure 214 properly, such that when thereceiving element 206 is fastened onto the base assembly 208, theresulting stand assembly 202 properly provides the first part of a firstfull range of motion and the nominal position both associated with thefirst degree of freedom of motion.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a stand assembly 202 that includes amagnet plate 504 in its base assembly 208 in accordance with someimplementations. The magnet plate 504 is mechanically coupled to thebase 210 such that the magnet plate 502 is adjacent to or forms aportion of a bottom surface of the base 210. The magnet plate 504 has abottom surface area that is smaller than a surface area of the bottomsurface of the base 510. Specifically, in some implementations, themagnet plate 504 is mechanically coupled to the base 210 using one ormore magnet fasteners 506. Optionally, the magnet plate 504 is directlycoupled to the base 210, or indirectly coupled to the hinge carrier 502that is configured to fit into and couple to the base 210.

In some implementations, the base assembly 208 further includes a coverplate 510. Optionally, the cover plate 510 is made of plastic, metal orother materials. The cover plate 510 is glued onto the bottom surface ofthe base 510 to cover the magnet plate 504 that has been mechanicallycoupled to the base 510, and the magnet plate 504 is sandwiched betweenthe bottom surface of the base 210 and the cover plate 510. The coverplate 510 has a surface area that is substantially equal to or slightlylarger than that of the magnet plate 504 such that the cover plate 510entirely seals the magnet plate inside the base assembly 208. As such,in some implementations, mechanical fasteners of the base assembly 208are structurally visible to the user of the stand assembly 202 exceptthe joint 212.

In some implementations, the base assembly 208 further includes one ormore rubber patches 512 that are attached to a bottom surface of thebase assembly 208 to provide additional friction between the standassembly 202 and the supporting surface against which the base isrested. In an example (FIG. 5), the one or more rubber patches 512includes a rubber ring that is attached to the bottom surface of thebase assembly 208 and surrounds the cover plate 510.

FIG. 12A illustrates a mount structure 224 for mounting a stand assembly202 onto a mounting surface in accordance with some implementations. Atleast part of the mount structure 224 is made of magneticallyattractable material, e.g., iron, steel, copper, and brass. The standassembly 202 is mounted onto the mounting surface when the base 210 ofthe base assembly 208 magnetically adheres onto the mount structure 224.In some implementations, the at least part of the mount structure 224includes a magnetically attractable plate 514 that has been integratedin the mount structure 224 before they are shipped to a user of thestand assembly 202.

The magnetic attraction force between the base 210 of the stand assembly202 and the mount structure 226 enables secure attachment of anelectronic device module that is mounted onto the mounting surface usingthe stand assembly 202. Such secure attachment satisfies one or moreUnderwriters Laboratories (UL) standards that set forth at least safetyrequirements for mounting the electronic device module onto a mountingsurface. An example UL standard is UL 2442 Standard for Wall- andCeiling-Mounts and Accessories, which applies to devices that providestructural support for the mounting of audio/video equipment,information technology equipment, and similar products, to the buildingstructure and is intended for indoor use only.

The mount structure 224 has a surface area that is substantially largerthan or equal to that of the bottom surface of the base assembly 208,and includes a cable guide structure 226 at the circumference of themount structure 224. The cable guide structure 226 is configured toguide a power or data cable that electrically couples a module 204received in the receiving element 206 to an external power supply oranother electronic device (e.g., a computational machine). Specifically,one end of the power or data cable is electrically coupled to aconnection port 306 of the module 204, while the other end iselectrically coupled to the external power supply or the otherelectronic device. An intermediate node at the power or data cable isheld by the cable guide structure 226, thereby protecting the power ordata cable from wiggling around and disconnecting from the connectionport 206.

Further, the mount structure 224 includes one or more open slots 1202each having a respective width that matches a dimension of a head of amount fastener (e.g., a screw or a nail). The open slots 1202 areconfigured to receive the mount fasteners 518. The mount structure 224can be attached and fixed onto the mounting surface when the mountfasteners 518 are fastened onto the mounting surface via the open slots202 of the mount structures 224. The open slots 1202 have predeterminedlengths configured to accommodate an adjustment of an orientation of themount structure 224 when the mount fasteners 518 are loosened from themounting surface. In some implementations, the orientation of the mountstructure 224 is adjusted for the purposes of varying the location ofthe cable guide structure 226 with respect to a module mounted on themount structure 224 (e.g., the camera module 204). The predeterminedlengths of the open slots as presented here are associated with anadjustment angle of 90 degrees for adjusting the orientation of themount structure 224 and the location of the cable guide structure 226.

FIG. 12B illustrates another exemplary mount structure 224 onto which adetachable foam plate 520 is attached in accordance with someimplementations. Specifically, the detachable foam plate 520 is attachedonto the magnetically attractable part of the mount structure 224. Insome implementations, the detachable foam plate 520 includes a backsurface that is sticky, and adheres to the surface of the magneticallyattractable part like a sticker. The front surface of the detachablefoam plate 520 includes one or more instructions for assembling thestand assembly 202. In this example, the one or more instructionsinclude an arrow that indicates that a user can peel off the detachablefoam plate 520 from the mount structure 224. Additionally, the one ormore instructions include specific language to guide the user to “screwplate to wall and remove sticker,” and “attach Nest Cam to plate.”

When the mounting structure 224 is mounted onto a mounting surface, itis arranged according to a preferred orientation such that the cableguide structure 226 is located at a preferred location (e.g., on abottom rim of the mounting structure 224, or below a module after themodule is mounted on the stand assembly 202). In some implementations,the one or more instructions on the detachable foam plate 520 include anotice that reminds the user of orienting the mount structure 224according to the preferred orientation.

In some implementations, the detachable foam plate 520 includes a tab1204. The tab 1204 is oriented according to the preferred orientation ofthe mounting structure 224, and used to guide the attachment of themount structure 224 onto the mounting surface. Specifically, thedetachable foam plate 520 is attached onto the mounting structure 224with the tab 1204 aligned to the preferred orientation of the mountingstructure 224. When the user mounts the mount structure 224 according tothe orientation of the tab 1204, the cable guide structure 226 isdisposed at its preferred location. In a specific example, the userorients the tab 1204 of the mounting structure 224 to an upwarddirection, and obtains the preferred orientation of the mountingstructure 224 and the preferred location of the cable guide structure226 automatically.

FIG. 12C is an exploded view of a stand assembly 202, a detachable foamplate 520 and a mount structure 224 a in accordance with someimplementations. After the mount structure 224 a is fixed onto themounting surface with a preferred orientation, the tab 1204 is peeledoff, and the stand assembly 202 is placed on top of the mount structure224 a. The stand assembly 202 adheres to the mount structure 224 afirmly by way of the magnetic attraction force that exists between themagnet plate 504 sealed inside the base 210 and the magneticallyattractable part 514 of the mount structure 224 a. In someimplementations, the magnetic attraction force satisfies the ULstandards for mounting an electronic device onto a mounting surfacesafely, and the stand assembly 202 would not be easily detached from themount structure 224 a.

Conversely, the detachable foam plate 520 is applied to reduce themagnetic attraction force between the base 210 and the mount structure224 a, before the mount structure 224 is fully prepared for receivingthe stand assembly 202. The detachable foam plate 520 is attached ontothe mount structure 224 a to increase a distance and thereby reduce themagnetic attraction force between the magnet plate 504 of the base 210and the magnetically attractable part 514 of the mount structure 224.The reduced magnetic attraction force allows a user to separate thestand assembly 202 from the mount structure 224 a conveniently withoutresorting to any tool, particularly before the mount structure 224 a isfixed onto the mounting surface and prepared to receive the standassembly 202.

FIG. 13A is an exploded view of a stand assembly 202, a cable guide ring1302 and a mount structure 224 b that function together to support amodule 204 on a mounting surface in accordance with someimplementations. FIG. 13B illustrates another mount structure 224 b inaccordance with some implementations, and FIG. 13C illustrates a cableguide ring 1302 in accordance with some implementations. At least partof the mount structure 224 b is made of magnetically attractablematerial, e.g., iron, steel, copper, and brass. The stand assembly 202is mounted onto the mounting surface when the base 210 of the baseassembly 208 magnetically adheres onto the mount structure 224 b. Themount structure 224 has a surface area that is substantially smallerthan that of the bottom surface of the base assembly 208, and does notinclude a cable guide structure 226. Rather, the functions of the cableguide structure 226 are provided separately by a cable guide ring 1302.

The mount structure 224 b is substantially flat, and includes aplurality of openings 1304 each having a respective dimension thatmatches that of a head of a mount fastener 518 (e.g., a screw or anail). The openings are configured to receive the mount fasteners. Themount structure 224 b is attached and fixed onto the mounting surface,when the mount fasteners 518 are fastened onto the mounting surface viathe openings 1304 of the mount structure 224 b.

The cable guide ring 1302 has an inner diameter that is substantiallylarger than a diameter of the mount structure 224 b. When the standassembly 202 is mounted onto the mounting surface, the cable guide ring1302 surrounds the mount structure 224, comes into contact with themounting surface, and is thereby sandwiched between the mounting surfaceand the base 210 of the stand assembly 202. Further, the cable guidering 1302 has an outer diameter that is substantially larger than orequal to that of the bottom surface of the base assembly 208. The cableguide ring 1302 further includes a cable guide structure 226 located atits outer circumference for fixing a power or data cable. Optionally,the power or data cable is configured to electrically couple the module204 received at the receiving element 206 of the stand assembly 202 toan external power supply or a separate electronic device.

In some implementations, the circumference of the mount structure 224includes a groove, and the mount structure 224 b further includes anO-ring 1306. The O-ring 1306 is configured to be seated in the groove ofthe mount structure 224. The O-ring is compressed and creates a seal atan interface when the card guide ring 1302 is assembled onto the mountstructure 224 b. In some implementations, the cable guide ring 1302includes one or more protrusions 1308 on its surface to increase itsfriction with the bottom surface of the base 210. The seal provided theO-ring 1306 and the friction provided by the surface protrusions 1308prevent the card guide ring 1302 from wobbling between the standassembly 202 and the mounting surface, and thereby enable a secure cableguiding function for the power or data cable electrically coupled to themodule 204.

Referring to FIGS. 13A-13C, the mount structure 224 b has a relativelysimple form factor, and is easy to manufacture at an affordable cost. Insome implementations, the stand assembly 202 is associated with morethan one mount structures 224 b that can be mounted onto more than onemounting surfaces in a smart home environment. A user of the module 204can conveniently remove the stand assembly 202 and the cable guide ring1302 from one mount structure 224 b located at a first location, andmount them to another mount structure 224 b located at a second locationwithout moving the mount structure 224.

FIG. 14A is a top view of a camera assembly 200 in which a receivingelement 206 and a camera module 204 mounted thereon are packaged inaccordance with some implementations. The receiving element 206 and thecamera module 204 are flipped down to an end position, and facesubstantially up in the camera assembly 200. As explained above withreference to FIGS. 6A-6F, the stand assembly 202 is associated with anominal position at which the module holding structure 214 of thereceiving element 206 is arranged to align in parallel or overlap withboth the twisting axis 218 (not shown in FIG. 14A) and the flipping axis220. In accordance with a second degree of freedom of motion, thereceiving element 206 and the camera module 204 can be flipped aroundthe flipping axis 220 that passes through a joint 212 and liessubstantially in parallel with a planar surface of the base 210. Assuch, the receiving element 206 and the camera module 204 mountedthereon are flipped down and face substantially up (i.e., face oppositeto the planar surface of the base 210).

FIGS. 14B-14F illustrate a packaging process 1400 for packaging a cameraassembly 200 shown in FIG. 14A and its accessories in a multilayershipping package in accordance with some implementations. The multilayershipping package includes a lid box 1402 and a container box 1404. Thecontainer box 1404 is configured to contain the camera assembly 200 andits accessories, and the lid box is configured to cover the containerbox 1404. The boxes 1402 and 1404 of the multilayer shipping packagefurther include a plurality of packaging layers, e.g., four layersincluding layers 1406-1412 in this specific example, for organizing thecamera assembly 200 and its accessories in a compact, reliable, and userfriendly manner.

When a user opens the shipping package shipped from a retailer or amanufacturer, the user sees that a camera assembly 200 lays flat on atop layer 1406 of the container box 1404 (FIG. 14C). The top layer 1406includes a first recess 1412 that is formed according to a contour ofthe camera assembly 200 and configured to hold the camera assembly 200firmly. On the other hand, the lid box 1402 includes a lid layer 1408,and the lid layer 1408 has a lid recess or protrusion 1416 that is alsoconfigured at least according to a contour of the receiving element 206of the camera assembly 200. When the lid box 1402 is flipped over tocover the container box 1404, the camera assembly 200 is securely heldbetween the lid recess or protrusion 1416 of the lid layer 1408 and thefirst recess 1412 of the top layer 1406, and thereby protected from someshipping damages that can occur in transit.

In some implementations, the first recess 1412 of the top layer 1406includes one or more cutout openings (not shown in FIG. 14C). When thecamera assembly 200 is removed from the first recess 1412 of the toplayer 1406, the one or more cutout openings on the recess allow the userto pull the top layer 1406 out of the container box 1404 easily.

Further, after the top layer 1406 is removed from the container box1404, a subset of camera accessories (e.g., a power cord and a poweradapter) is exposed. In some implementations, the subset of cameraaccessories is supported by one or more underlying layers (e.g., abottom layer 1410 and an intermediate layer 1412). The bottom layer 1410includes a second recess 1418, and the intermediate layer 1412 is placedinside the second recess 1418 of the bottom layer 1410. A power cord issupported by the intermediate layer 1412 and held within the secondrecess 1418. The intermediate layer 1412 further includes a cutoutopening 1420 that allows the user to pull the intermediate layer 14012out of the second access 1418 of the bottom layer 1410.

After the intermediate layer 1412 is removed, a mount structure 224 thatlies underneath the intermediate layer 1412 is exposed. The mountstructure 224 is disposed at the bottom of the second access 1418 of thebottom layer 1410. In some implementations, the second access 1418 ofthe bottom layer 1410 is configured to hold one or more mount structures224 and a card guide ring 1302 as shown in FIGS. 13A-13C.

In some implementations, the bottom layer 1410 further includes a thirdrecess 1422 that is configured to hold the power adapter.

In some implementations, a user manual is disposed under the top layer1406 and above the accessories that are organized and held by theintermediate and bottom layers 1410 and 1412.

In some implementations, the packaging layers 1406-1412 packaged insidethe shipping package are made of recycled paper, and the recycled paperinclude at least a threshold amount of starch quantities. In an example,the threshold amount of starch quantities is equal to 40% of thepackaging layers in weight.

FIG. 15 illustrates a receiving element 206 that is mechanically coupledon a standard tripod 1502 in accordance with some implementations.Specifically, a first fastener structure 404 includes a threaded screwhole that matches a tripod screw of a standard tripod, and the receivingelement 206 is configured to mount on the standard tripod 1502 when thetripod screw is tightened into the threaded screw hole of the firstfastener structure 404. In some implementations, the tripod screw ispart of a tripod adaptor. The first fastener structure 404 is fastenedto the tripod adaptor, and the tripod adaptor is further fastened ontothe standard tripod 1502. In some implementations, to match the tripodscrew of a commonly used standard tripod, the threaded screw hole on thefirst fastener structure 404 is a ¼-20 socket that has a ¼ inch diameterand 20 threads per inch at its screw length.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of a method 1600 for packaging a stand assembly202 configured to support a module (e.g., a camera module 204) inaccordance with some implementations. The stand assembly packagingmethod 1600 includes providing (1602) a base assembly 208 that includesa base 210 and a second fastener structure 406, and the second fastenerstructure 406 is coupled to the base 210 at a joint 212. As shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B, in some implementations, providing the base assembly208 further includes: inserting the second fastener structure 406 into abase opening slot 716 on the base assembly 208, and forming the joint212 by assembling the second fastener structure 406 in the base openingslot 716 using one or more joint fasteners. More details on the methodsof providing the base assembly 208 including the joint 212 are explainedabove with reference to FIGS. 7D-7F and 9B.

The stand assembly packaging method 1600 further includes attaching(1604) to the base assembly 208 a receiving element 206. The receivingelement 206 includes a first fastener structure 404 and is configured tophysically receive the module 204. To attach the receiving element 206to the base assembly 208, the first fastener structure 404 is tightenedonto the second fastener structure 406 until the first fastenerstructure 404 reaches a tightened position. The first fastener structure404 of the receiving element 206 and the joint 212 of the base assembly208 are configured (1606) to provide a first degree of freedom of motionand a second degree of freedom of motion of the receiving element 206with respect to the base assembly 208, respectively.

In some implementations, the receiving element 206 further includes amodule holding structure 214 and an extended portion 402. To attach thereceiving element 206 to the base assembly 208, after the first fastenerstructure 404 is tightened onto the second fastener structure 406, themodule holding structure 214 and the extended portion 402 of thereceiving element 206 are press mounted onto the first fastenerstructure 404 to mount the receiving element 206 to the base assembly208.

The stand assembly packaging method 1600 further includes afterdetermining that the first fastener structure 404 reaches the tightenedposition, rotating (1608) the receiving element 206 reversely at thefirst degree of freedom of motion by a first angle to orient thereceiving element to a nominal position. At the nominal position, thereceiving element 206 and the module 204 received thereby are configured(1610) to face substantially up when they are flipped down via the joint212 at the second degree of freedom of motion. In some implementations,the first angle is substantially equal to half of a full range of motionof the first fastener structure 404. In a specific example, the firstangle is substantially equal to 45 degrees. More details on thetightened position of the first fastener structure 404 and the nominalposition of the receiving element 206 are explained above with referenceto FIGS. 6A-6C.

In some implementations, the module is assembled (1612) onto thereceiving element 206 to form a module assembly. When the moduleincludes a camera module 204, a camera assembly is formed to support thecamera module 204 assembled onto the receiving element 206.

As explained above, in some implementations, the movement of thereceiving element 206 at the first degree of freedom has substantiallyconsistent resistance through first part of a first full range of motionassociated with the first degree of freedom of motion, and the movementof the receiving element 206 at the second degree of freedom hassubstantially consistent resistance through a second full range ofmotion associated with the second degree of freedom. Further, in someimplementations, the first part of the first full range of motionassociated with the first degree of freedom of motion is associated witha twisting angle, and the first angle is substantially equal to half ofthe twisting angle such that the nominal position is located at thecenter of the first part of the first full range of motion associatedwith the first degree of freedom of motion. In some implementations, thetightened position of the first fastener structure 404 is associatedwith an end position that the receiving element 206 has within the firstpart of the first full range of motion associated with the first degreeof freedom. More details on the first and second degrees of freedom ofmotion of the receiving element 206 are explained above with referenceto FIGS. 6A-6E.

In some implementations, the first fastener structure 404 of thereceiving element 206 further includes a screw hole and a nylon-likebushing coupled at the end of the screw hole. The screw hole matches ascrew structure of the second fastener structure 406, and has apredetermined thread length. The screw hole is configured to provide asecond part of the first full range of motion when the first fastenerstructure is fastened onto the second fastener structure via the screwhole and the screw structure. The nylon-like bushing has a predeterminedbushing depth, and provides the first part of the first full range ofmotion when the first fastener structure is fastened onto the secondfastener structure via the screw hole and the screw structure. Thesecond part of the first full range of motion is distinct from the firstpart of the first full range of motion. More details on the first andsecond fastener structures that enable the stand assembly packagingmethod 1600 are explained above with reference to FIGS. 7A-7C.

In some implementations, the stand assembly packaging method 1600further includes flipping the receiving element 206 via the joint 212 atthe second degree of freedom of motion until the receiving element 206and the module 204 received thereby face substantially up. After thereceiving element 406 is flipped via the joint 212, the assembly isplaced within a shipping package. Specifically, the assembly is placedon a packaging layer (e.g., the layer 1406) inside the shipping packagewith the receiving element 206 and the module 204 received thereby atleast partially held in a recess (e.g., the recess 1412) on thepackaging layer. More details on a packaging process 1400 for packagingan assembly and its accessories in a multilayer shipping package areexplained above with reference to FIGS. 14A-14F.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIG. 16 have been described are merely exemplary and arenot intended to indicate that the described order is the only order inwhich the operations can be performed. One of ordinary skill in the artwould recognize various ways to package a stand assembly 202 asdescribed herein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of otherprocesses described herein with respect to method 1600 (e.g., FIG. 16)are also applicable in an analogous manner to method 1700 describedbelow with respect to FIG. 17. For brevity, these details are notrepeated here.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of another exemplary method 1700 for packaging astand assembly 202 configured for supporting a module (e.g., a cameramodule 204) in accordance with some implementations. The stand assemblypackaging method 1700 includes providing (1702) a base assembly 208 thatincludes a base 210 and a second fastener structure 406, and the secondfastener structure 406 is coupled to the base 210 at a joint 212.

The stand assembly packaging method 1700 further includes attaching(1704) to the base assembly 208 a receiving element 206 that includes afirst fastener structure 404 and is configured to physically receive themodule 204. The first fastener structure 404 of the receiving element206 is configured (1706) to mate with the second fastener structure 406and provide a first degree of freedom of motion of the receiving element206 with respect to the base. The movement of the receiving element atthe first degree of freedom is unlimited in a first direction of travelassociated with the first degree of freedom. The joint 212 is configured(1708) to provide a second degree of freedom of motion of the receivingelement 206 with respect to the base. The movement of the receivingelement at the second degree of freedom is limited in a direction oftravel associated with the second degree of freedom. Further, in someimplementations, the first degree of freedom is associated with areverse direction of travel that is opposite to the first direction oftravel associated with the unlimited movement at the first degree offreedom, and the first and second fastener structures 406 and 406 areunfastened when the receiving element 206 moves with respect to the baseassembly 208 in the reverse direction of travel associate with the firstdegree of freedom.

In some implementations, the receiving element 206 is configured to movewith respect to the base 210 at the first degree of freedom of motionwhen the first fastener structure 404 is fastened onto the secondfastener structure 406 of the base assembly 208. The first fastenerstructure 404 of the receiving element 206 further includes a screw holethat matches a screw structure of the second fastener structure. Thescrew hole has a predetermined thread length, and provides the unlimitedmovement at the first degree of freedom of motion, when the firstfastener structure 404 is fastened onto the second fastener structure406 via the screw hole and the screw structure.

In some implementations, the first fastener structure further includes ashoulder screw 802, a sleeve bushing 804, a spring washer 806 and ascrew hole, and the first fastener structure 404 is configured to beloosely suspended within the extended portion 402 of the receivingelement 206 via the shoulder screw 802.

In some implementations, an extended portion 402 of the receivingelement 206 includes a thread locker 812 embedded therein, and the firstfastener structure 404 includes a shoulder screw 802. The shoulder screw802 is configured to lock into place with the thread locker 812 for thepurposes of fastening the first fastener structure 404 to the receivingelement 206. Further, in some implementations, a low friction bushing810 is fixed inside an extended portion 402 of the receiving element206. In accordance with the unlimited movement of the receiving elementat the first degree of freedom, the low friction bushing 810 wrapsaround the first fastener structure 404, and rotates as part of thereceiving element 206 with respect to the base assembly 208, and withrespect to the first fastener structure 404 when the first fastenerstructure 404 is tightened onto the second fastener structure 406 of thebase assembly 208.

More details on the first fastener structure 404 that enables the standassembly packaging method 1700 are explained above with reference toFIGS. 8B and 8C.

The stand assembly packaging method 1600 further includes (1710)rotating the receiving element 206 along the first direction of travelassociated with the first degree of freedom until the receiving element206 reaches a nominal position. At the nominal position, the receivingelement 206 and the module 204 received thereby are configured (1712) toface substantially up when they are flipped down via the joint 212 atthe second degree of freedom of motion. In some implementations, themodule is assembled (1714) onto the receiving element 206 to form amodule assembly. When the module includes a camera module 204, a cameraassembly is formed to support the camera module 204 assembled onto thereceiving element 206.

In some implementations, the stand assembly packaging method 1600further includes flipping the receiving element 206 via the joint 212 atthe second degree of freedom of motion until the receiving element 206and the module 204 received thereby face substantially up. After thereceiving element 406 is flipped via the joint 212, the assembly isplaced within a shipping package. Specifically, the assembly is placedon a packaging layer (e.g., the layer 1406) inside the shipping packagewith the receiving element 206 and the module 204 received thereby atleast partially held in a recess (e.g., the recess 1412) on thepackaging layer. More details on a packaging process 1400 for packagingan assembly and its accessories in a multilayer shipping package areexplained above with reference to FIGS. 14A-14F.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIG. 17 have been described are merely exemplary and arenot intended to indicate that the described order is the only order inwhich the operations can be performed. One of ordinary skill in the artwould recognize various ways to package a stand assembly 202 asdescribed herein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of otherprocesses described herein with respect to method 1700 (e.g., FIG. 17)are also applicable in an analogous manner to method 1600 describedabove with respect to FIG. 16. For brevity, these details are notrepeated here.

Although various drawings illustrate a number of logical stages in aparticular order, stages that are not order dependent may be reorderedand other stages may be combined or broken out. While some reordering orother groupings are specifically mentioned, others will be obvious tothose of ordinary skill in the art, so the ordering and groupingspresented herein are not an exhaustive list of alternatives. Moreover,it should be recognized that the stages can be implemented in hardware,firmware, software or any combination thereof.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific implementations. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the scope of the claims to the precise forms disclosed. Manymodifications and variations are possible in view of the aboveteachings. The implementations were chosen in order to best explain theprinciples underlying the claims and their practical applications, tothereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the implementationswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usescontemplated.

Reference will now be made in detail to implementations, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the followingdetailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the various describedimplementations. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skillin the art that the various described implementations may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures, components, mechanical structures, circuits, and networkshave not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscureaspects of the implementations.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.are, in some instances, used herein to describe various elements, theseelements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only usedto distinguish one element from another. For example, a first fastenerstructure can be termed a second fastener structure, and, similarly, asecond fastener structure can be termed a first fastener structure,without departing from the scope of the various describedimplementations. The first fastener structure and the second fastenerstructure are both fastener structures, but they are not the samefastener structure.

The terminology used in the description of the various describedimplementations herein is for the purpose of describing particularimplementations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in thedescription of the various described implementations and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as usedherein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. It will be furtherunderstood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or“comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence ofstated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,structures and/or groups, but do not preclude the presence or additionof one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, structures, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” is, optionally, construed to mean “when”or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting”or “in accordance with a determination that,” depending on the context.Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated conditionor event] is detected” is, optionally, construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event]” or “in accordance with a determination that [astated condition or event] is detected,” depending on the context.

It is to be appreciated that “smart home environments” may refer tosmart environments for homes such as a single-family house, but thescope of the present teachings is not so limited. The present teachingsare also applicable, without limitation, to duplexes, townhomes,multi-unit apartment buildings, hotels, retail stores, office buildings,industrial buildings, and more generally any living space or work space.

It is also to be appreciated that while the terms user, customer,installer, homeowner, occupant, guest, tenant, landlord, repair person,and the like may be used to refer to the person or persons acting in thecontext of some particularly situations described herein, thesereferences do not limit the scope of the present teachings with respectto the person or persons who are performing such actions. Thus, forexample, the terms user, customer, purchaser, installer, subscriber, andhomeowner may often refer to the same person in the case of asingle-family residential dwelling, because the head of the household isoften the person who makes the purchasing decision, buys the unit, andinstalls and configures the unit, and is also one of the users of theunit. However, in other scenarios, such as a landlord-tenantenvironment, the customer may be the landlord with respect to purchasingthe unit, the installer may be a local apartment supervisor, a firstuser may be the tenant, and a second user may again be the landlord withrespect to remote control functionality. Importantly, while the identityof the person performing the action may be germane to a particularadvantage provided by one or more of the implementations, such identityshould not be construed in the descriptions that follow as necessarilylimiting the scope of the present teachings to those particularindividuals having those particular identities.

It is noted that the stand assemblies described herein are exemplary andare not intended to be limiting. For example, any dimensions, shapes,styles, and/or materials described herein are exemplary and are notintended to be limiting. Drawings are not to scale. For brevity,features or characters described in association with someimplementations may not necessarily be repeated or reiterated whendescribing other implementations. Even though it may not be explicitlydescribed therein, a feature or characteristic described in associationwith some implementations may be used by other implementations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stand assembly, comprising: an upper portionconfigured to hold one or more electronic components, the upper portionincluding a first fastener structure; and a lower portion configured tosupport the upper portion, the lower portion including a base, a joint,and a second fastener structure configured to mate with the firstfastener structure; wherein the first fastener structure and the jointare configured to respectively provide a first degree of freedom ofmotion and a second degree of freedom of motion of the upper portionwith respect to the lower portion, and wherein the movement of the upperportion at the first degree of freedom has substantially consistentresistance through a first part of a first full range of motionassociated with the first degree of freedom of motion, and the movementof the upper portion at the second degree of freedom has substantiallyconsistent resistance through a second full range of motion associatedwith the second degree of freedom; wherein the first fastener structureis fastened to the second fastener structure and provides the firstdegree of freedom of motion, and the first and second fastener structureare entirely embedded within and covered by the upper portion.
 2. Thestand assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper portion is configured tomove with respect to the base at the first degree of freedom of motionwhen the first fastener structure is fastened onto the second fastenerstructure of the lower portion, and the first fastener structure of theupper portion further includes: a screw hole that matches a screwstructure of the second fastener structure, wherein the screw hole has apredetermined thread length, and provides a second part of the firstfull range of motion when the first fastener structure is fastened ontothe second fastener structure via the screw hole and the screwstructure, and the second part of the first full range of motion isdistinct from the first part of the first full range of motion; and anylon-like bushing coupled at the end of the screw hole, wherein thenylon-like bushing has a predetermined bushing depth, and provides thefirst part of the first full range of motion when the first fastenerstructure is fastened onto the second fastener structure via the screwhole and the screw structure.
 3. The stand assembly of claim 2, whereinthe nylon-like bushing has a first coefficient of friction that isassociated with the substantially consistent resistance through thefirst part of the first full range of motion, and the screw hole has asecond coefficient of friction that is associated with alternativeresistance through the second part of the first full range of motion,and wherein the alternative resistance through the second part of thefirst full range of motion is distinct from the substantially consistentresistance through the first part of the first full range of motion. 4.The stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the first part of the first fullrange of motion associated with the first degree of freedom of motion isassociated with a twisting angle that is substantially equal to 90degrees.
 5. The stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper portionincludes a cutout opening that has a shape conforming to a contour of amodule including the one or more electronic components, and isconfigured to hold the module when the module is inserted within thecutout opening.
 6. The stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the baseincludes a planar surface for resting against the supporting surface,and the second degree of freedom of motion at the joint is associatedwith flipping of the upper portion with respect to a flipping axis thatpasses through the joint and is substantially parallel to the planarsurface of the base.
 7. The stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the baseincludes a planar surface for resting against the supporting surface,and the first degree of freedom of motion is associated with twisting ofthe upper portion with respect to a twisting axis that passes throughthe upper portion and is perpendicular to the planar surface of thebase.
 8. The stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the first fastenerstructure includes a threaded screw hole that matches a tripod screw ofa standard tripod, and the upper portion is configured to mount on thestandard tripod when the tripod screw is tightened into the threadedscrew hole.
 9. The stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the first fastenerstructure associated with the first degree of freedom of motion isstructurally invisible to a user of the stand assembly, and the jointassociated with the second degree of freedom of motion is structurallyvisible to the user of the stand assembly.
 10. The stand assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the lower portion further includes: a magnet plate,wherein the magnet plate is mechanically attached to the base such thatthe magnet plate is adjacent to or forms a portion of a bottom surfaceof the base, and the magnet plate has a bottom surface area that issmaller than a surface area of the bottom surface of the base.
 11. Thestand assembly of claim 10, wherein the lower portion further includes:a cover plate, wherein the cover plate is applied to cover the magnetplate attached to the base, and the magnet plate is sandwiched betweenthe bottom of the base and the cover plate, and wherein the cover platehas a surface area that is substantially equal or slightly larger thanthat of the magnet plate such that the cover plate entirely seals themagnet plate inside the lower portion.
 12. A system, comprising: anupper portion configured to hold one or more electronic components, theupper portion including a first fastener structure; and a lower portionconfigured to support the upper portion, the lower portion including abase, a joint, and a second fastener structure configured to mate withthe first fastener structure; wherein the first fastener structure andthe joint are configured to respectively provide a first degree offreedom of motion and a second degree of freedom of motion of the upperportion with respect to the lower portion, and wherein the movement ofthe upper portion at the first degree of freedom has substantiallyconsistent resistance through a first part of a first full range ofmotion associated with the first degree of freedom of motion, and themovement of the upper portion at the second degree of freedom hassubstantially consistent resistance through a second full range ofmotion associated with the second degree of freedom; wherein the firstfastener structure associated with the first degree of freedom of motionis structurally invisible to a user of the stand assembly, and the jointassociated with the second degree of freedom of motion is structurallyvisible to the user of the stand assembly.
 13. The system of claim 12,further comprising: a mount structure that is configured to be attachedand fixed onto a mounting surface using one or more mount fasteners,wherein at least part of the mount structure is made of magneticallyattractable material, and the assembly is mounted onto the mountingsurface when the base of the lower portion magnetically adheres onto themount structure.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the mount structurefurther includes a cable guide structure for guiding a cable thatelectrically couples the one or more electronic components held in theupper portion to an external power supply or a separate electronicdevice.
 15. The system of claim 13, further comprising: a detachablefoam plate, wherein when the detachable foam plate is disposed between abottom surface of the base and the mount structure, the detachable foamplate increases a distance between the bottom surface of the base andthe mount structure, and reduces the magnetic attraction force betweenthe base and the mount structure.
 16. The system of claim 13, whereinthe mount structure has a smaller surface area than a surface area of abottom surface of the base, the stand assembly further comprising: acable guide ring, wherein the cable guide ring has an interior diameterlarger than a diameter of the mount plate, such that when the standassembly is mounted onto the mounting surface, the cable guide ringsurrounds the mount plate and sandwiched between the mounting surfaceand the base of the stand assembly, and the cable guide ring furtherincludes a cable guide structure to fix a cable that is configured toelectrically couple the one or more electronic components held in theupper portion to an external power supply or a separate electronicdevice.
 17. A system, comprising: an upper portion configured to holdone or more electronic components, the upper portion including a firstfastener structure; a lower portion configured to support the upperportion, the lower portion including a base, a joint, and a secondfastener structure configured to mate with the first fastener structure;and a mount structure that is configured to be attached and fixed onto amounting surface using one or more mount fasteners, wherein at leastpart of the mount structure is made of magnetically attractablematerial, and the assembly is mounted onto the mounting surface when thebase of the lower portion magnetically adheres onto the mount structure;wherein the first fastener structure and the joint are configured torespectively provide a first degree of freedom of motion and a seconddegree of freedom of motion of the upper portion with respect to thelower portion, and wherein the movement of the upper portion at thefirst degree of freedom has substantially consistent resistance througha first part of a first full range of motion associated with the firstdegree of freedom of motion, and the movement of the upper portion atthe second degree of freedom has substantially consistent resistancethrough a second full range of motion associated with the second degreeof freedom; and wherein the magnetic attraction force between the baseof the stand assembly and the mount structure enables secure attachmentof the one or more electronic components onto the mounting surface, andthe secure attachment satisfies one or more Underwriters Laboratories(UL) standards that set forth at least safety requirements for mountingthe one or more electronic components onto a mounting surface.
 18. Acamera assembly, comprising: an upper portion configured to hold one ormore camera components, the upper portion including a first fastenerstructure; and a lower portion configured to support the upper portion,the lower portion including a base, a joint, and a second fastenerstructure configured to mate with the first fastener structure, whereinthe lower portion further includes a magnet plate; wherein the firstfastener structure and the joint are configured to respectively providea first degree of freedom of motion and a second degree of freedom ofmotion of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion, andwherein the movement of the upper portion at the first degree of freedomhas substantially consistent resistance through a first part of a firstfull range of motion associated with the first degree of freedom ofmotion, and the movement of the upper portion at the second degree offreedom has substantially consistent resistance through a second fullrange of motion associated with the second degree of freedom; whereinthe magnet plate is mechanically attached to the base such that themagnet plate is adjacent to or forms a portion of a bottom surface ofthe base, and the magnet plate has a bottom surface area that is smallerthan a surface area of the bottom surface of the base.
 19. The cameraassembly of claim 18, wherein the first fastener structure is fastenedto the second fastener structure and provides the first degree offreedom of motion, and the first and second fastener structure areentirely embedded within and covered by the upper portion.
 20. Thecamera assembly of claim 18, further comprising the camera componentsthat are held by the upper portion.